Santa, I do believe!

As you may or may not know Mike plays Santa every year for his dad's bank.  The kids love going up to see him but know that it is dad.  Charlie figured it out a few years ago and so we have come up with a story along the lines of Santa needing helpers.... he cant be everywhere... asked mike to be his helper... blah blah... charlie believes what we came up with so we just go with it.
Although he is already asking some good questions "How exactly does Santa get up and down chimneys?"
Jodi "It's magical"
Mike  "Charlie, Let me fill you in on a little secret.  Can you promise to keep it a secret?" Charlie "YES!!"Mike: "Moms and Dads actually have a deal worked out with Santa that on Christmas eve night leave the front doors unlocked so that Santa can come in and out easily, especially with the presents and all."  Charlie thought that sounded so much better.  Good thing for dad and his fast thinking.

Charlie, Henry and Emilee with Santa (Daddy)

 
However, to throw the kids off a bit- we (along with our friends Melissa and Ken who have Olivia and Addi) had Ken's brother dress up in the suit and surprise the kids last Friday night.
They were VERY surprised! Mike could see Charlie and Emilee's faces when they came up stairs and saw Santa, Charlie then looked over and saw Mike standing there holding Henry and for a moment he thought this could be the real guy.  But after that moment was over he collected his thoughts and told us that he knew that wasn't the real Santa either-- but after mentally going through all the other males he knew he told us that he was unsure who it actually was!! Too smart!

Kids seeing Santa!! (Olivia, Emmy, Charlie-- Addi was less excited about the situation)

 



Addi (who ended up coming around towards the end, Emmy, Henry, Santa, Charlie and Olivia)

 

Overall it was a GREAT night!!!!

 

Jodi 

Christmas Lights at the Zoo

So a few weekends ago when it was nice and warm out Melissa and I got the bright idea to go to the zoo to see the lights--- this bright idea came to us around 7pm so we decided we would go the following Monday.  Good thing we checked the website b/c the zoo only does the lights on the WEEKENDS!!! Why?? Seems stupid to me-- but anyways.... we decided to bundle everyone up and go last weekend.  Although everyone and their mom was also at the zoo -- we ended up having a great time!  It is what you make it right.... I have to say it was a bit "Magical"!!! :)

Enjoy

Charlie told me that one of his dreams was to ride on this lion-- that he NEVER gets to do it... so I made his dreams come true!



charlie, olivia, emilee, addison

best friends

best friends

the gang being silly

Still can't believe Christmas is right around the corner.

Have a good night.

Jodi

maternity- painting pics

I know that Henry is now 6 weeks old (yes 6 weeks already) but I wanted to show a few of the pics we did with the kids when I was still pregnant.  We did this the Saturday before Henry was born.

It was so much fun. 

Enjoy
Jodi

Accident

Tuesday on my way to get the kids I got in a car accident.  I was waiting at the end of my street to turn left onto Route 30.  Someone on 30 waved me to come out.  I double checked that no one was coming from the right but did not see a car that was headed from the left into the turn lane (center lane).  They T boned me and damaged the van pretty bad.

I am so thankful that no kids where in the car, especially Emmy since she sits on the drivers side and would have taken the hit.  I can briefly still picture seeing the car hit me and how it felt but the part I can't get out of my head is how Emmy's seat looked and all the glass/plastic that was EVERYWHERE.  

Everything sure does happen for a reason since I was going to take Henry with me to get the kids, then decided not to.

I am trying to use this as one of those "slow down-- life goes too fast" type of learning experiences.  We all get those wake up calls so often right?

Add caption

Hope you have good weekend.

Jodi

Henry Pics

1st picture-- welcome to the world little man

1 hour old

Headed Home

1st time being held by my Big Brother and Big Sister

1st Doctors appointment

1st walk outside in the stroller

hanging out with my siblings

1st Thanksgiving

Enjoy

Jodi

Introducing Henry Dean Stevens

Henry Dean Stevens- born October 29th, 2012 at 3:06pm
He was 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 1/2 inches long

After what seemed like a very long day Henry came into the world perfect as can be, with a scowl on his face (definately his father). 

We went to the hospital at midnight Sunday night/ Monday morning.  Once we finally got to the time to push we found that Henry was face up.  So I had to wait until the doctor got to the hospital to turn him around (#holyhell#).  He was able to turn him around and he was delivered just fine.  I will forever remember the moment they placed him on me.  One of the best moments of my life!!

The whole process was a bit emotional for me since I know this is our last one. 


Sorry this was so late.

131 Update

We are back in the house!!!!!!!!

we moved back in on Saturday and we have been very busy. 

Still alot to organize and some painting to do on the rest of the house--

also still have to get a mirror for the bathroom!

we are all loving being back home!!! :)

131 Update- Tuesday

The plumber was back out to install the faucets, toilet, dishwasher, ran line to fridge and turned the water back on!

Fans are up (although they put the wrong color blades down) so they will fix that today.

Microwave and dishwasher are in place. 

Painter will be there today- probably finish tomorrow.

Electrician will be out today to fix that fixture and outlet in the bath.

After the paint is done they will move the rest of the appliances back in.

The cabinet company will be back out I think tomorrow to do a final setting to make sure all drawers and doors are opening and closing as they should. 

PICTURES:

Looking good-- although lots of small things still to be done-

Don't worry I have my excel spreadsheet started with all the items that WILL be complete before we sign off! :)

Have a good day.

131 Update

Last week there was not alot going on at the house until Friday.

Friday- they came back to finish the tile in the bathroom-- just have to put the grout (not sure that is what you put in between the tiles when it is on the shower walls or not).

We found that the electrician has to come back out to fix the position of the bathroom outlet and light fixture.  Our original plan had the vanity extending down towards the door further- but then we changed it and he placed the fixture based on the old plans.... so that sucks but shouldn't be too much to fix.

Then just as we went to the house Friday evening to check on everything- the granite guys were pulling up to drop off the kitchen counter tops!!!!! :) They installed them in about 25-30 min.  It was amazing. 
We LOVE them!

They are still saying they will be done this week! :)

Things to get done still:
Bring in appliances
Paint (they primed but need to do the top coat)
Trim
Bathroom- Vanity Top, Fix fixture, install shower & sink faucet
Fix Living Room Fan (only 2 speeds are working)
Remove 1 of the light switches in Kitchen/patch it and paint

CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN!!!!
We will have to have our carpet cleaned very well to get all the dry wall dust and such removed.

However I feel like an end is in sight and I can not wait to get back home!!!!

I miss sleeping in my bed with my husband! :)

Plus, I feel the need to get home to pack our bags for the hospital for this little one's arrival.... can you believe it is Week 35?!! :)

Tuesday

I don't think anything happened at the house yesterday-- however I did get an email from our contractor. 

Paint guy is suppose to be there Wednesday afternoon or Thursday.

They got the right tile in for the sides of the shower- so they will tile that Wednesday.

Apparently they are stating that they wouldn't be able to get the granite that we picked until 10/15-- so we might select something else-- waiting to speak with the contractor now. 
If we go with something else they can get it in and cut/fabricated in 3 days-- meaning he said they could be DONE NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes I just said there is a possibility that they will be done next week!



Doctors appointment today for me- Week 34!

131 Update- Monday

So those beautiful cabinets that were scattered about the house are now in place!!!!!!

fridge/dishwasher and sink will go here



range/microwave, and this is the "desk area"

I will admit they look so different all up.  When they were on the ground- I was like man there are a ton; once on the walls I admit I had a small panic attack wondering if there are enough-- where are we going to put everything.  But everything is going to fit into place perfectly.  
They also put the bathroom vanity in place.  It looks so weird since our other vanity/cabinet was much longer than this one; however we will gain another sink bowl so I'm very excited about that. 

I feel like ti looks very small in this picture-- I think once the rest of the room is done it will all come together and look "normal".  They still have to finish the tile in the shower- I'm not sure if they are still waiting on the end pieces which I guess are different than the rest of the tile.... ???!!

It sure is coming along!!! Have I mentioned how excited I am to get back in the house??

Hope you are having a good day.

131 Update- Friday/Saturday

We were able to go into the house Friday and walk on the floors-- they are amazing.  They also finished all the sanding/mudding on the dry wall.  Biggest part--- CABINETS & VANITY FOR BATHROOM WERE DELIVERED!!!!!! They are so beautiful.  There was one hiccup-- One of the light switches that was put in the kitchen was too high-- so the electrician had to move it down- so they will have to patch up the drywall there. 

We picked out the paint colors, our granite slab and faucets/shower head. 

The electrician was at our house on SATURDAY!!! Yes Saturday; the fixture is up in the laundry room, fixture is up in the kitchen and dinner room, and the light in the bathroom is up.  He still has to put up the fan in the entry and living room.

We picked out our top for the vanity today as well as our sink for the kitchen.

The electrician could not believe we had only been out of the house for 2 weeks.

Our contractor said they will put up the cabinets on Monday and will then paint/trim while the granite is being cut.  I still cant believe how fast this is all going- I am in love with it all and will probably cry when we are able to get back into it! :)

cabinets laying in the kitchen... peek a boo!

tile on the back wall in the shower

bathroom vanity

more cabinets

our under cabinet lights

Hope you are all having a great weekend.

Dads and Daughters

So I have seen these before but thought this one was so perfect-- I swear Mike read this before Emilee came!!!! She is one lucky girl to have such a great daddy-- and I think she knows it! :)

50 Rules for Dad's with Daughters

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

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2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she adds years to her life… add life to her years.

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3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

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4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

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5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

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6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

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7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

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8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

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9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

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10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

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11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

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12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

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13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

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14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

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15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait until her wedding day.

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16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

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17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

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18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

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19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

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20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

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21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

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22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

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23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

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24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

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25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

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26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

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27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

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28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

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29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

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30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

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31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

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32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

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33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

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34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

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35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

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36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

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37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

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38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

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39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

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40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

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41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

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42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

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43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

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44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

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45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

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46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

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47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

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48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

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49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

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50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

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Something about this brings tears to my eyes-- I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with all these hormones! :)